The Princeton men’s lacrosse team managed to break itself out of their funk.
Heading into this weekend on a three-game losing streak, the Tigers (7-4 overall, 3-1 Ivy League) put themselves back atop the Ivy League. They traveled to Hanover, N.H., to defeat the Dartmouth Big Green 16-5. The margin of victory is the Tigers’ highest of the season, eclipsing the difference of 10 goals in their 14-4 defeat of Manhattan College to open the season.
The lopsided score, however, does not totally reflect the tightness of the game. Unlike the Manhattan College game, where the Tigers immediately began eviscerating the Jaspers, the Big Green (3-6, 1-3) made the game a struggle through the first two periods. Princeton led only 4-2 after the first period, and just 5-3 after the second.
Dartmouth’s strong resistance through the first two periods must come as a sign of hope for a long-beleaguered program. They have not hit the .500 mark since the 2007-08 season, and have lurked near the bottom of the Ivy League standings for a long while. To go toe-to-toe with Princeton, a perennial league powerhouse, for any amount of time is encouraging.
Early on in the game, the stars for Princeton were sophomore attack Gavin McBride and senior attack Mike MacDonald, each scoring two before the half. Senior midfielder Kip Orban would also add one.
For Dartmouth, the hero was attack Adam Fishman, who scored all three goals for the Big Green before the half. Fishman currently leads Dartmouth in goals scored on the season with 14.
Despite the closely contested early part of the game, the Tigers showed their superiority in the third quarter, putting on a dominant offensive showing. They outscored Dartmouth 7-1 in the third, as MacDonald continued his onslaught, scoring three in just the third period. Orban, senior midfielder Will Rotatori, and sophomore attack Sean Connors all scored as well in the period, with Orban putting in two.
The rest of the game was more of the same. Princeton outscored Dartmouth 4-1 in the fourth, as Orban scored one last goal to bring his final tally up to four.
In addition to the Tigers’ excellent performance on offensive, they did the work on the defensive end to take down Dartmouth. The Tigers forced 21 turnovers on the game.
After this dominating victory, the Tigers now reside in first place, tied with Cornell (9-3, 3-1) as the Ivy League’s top dogs. They will get a chance to battle Cornell in Ithaca on April 25, the final game of the regular season. However, one last game at the Class of 1952 Stadium awaits them. Princeton will take on Harvard (6-6, 1-3), who are tied with Dartmouth for the league’s lowest position.
Read More
Princeton Men’s golf falls just short in Ivy League Championships
Matthew YiDespite coming close, a tough round three and poor weather conditions led to the Tigers losing to Yale in the men's Ivy League Golf Championships
Despite coming close, a tough round three and poor weather conditions led to the Tigers losing out to Yale in the men's Ivy League Golf Championships
On senior night, No. 21 Princeton men’s lacrosse secures a dominant win over No. 12 Penn
Lily PampolinaWith a massive win over a ranked opponent, the Tigers will head to New Haven next week in hopes of sealing their Ivy League tournament berth.
With a massive win over a ranked opponent, the Tigers will head to New Haven next week in hopes of sealing their Ivy League tournament berth.
Senior Day Triumph: No. 17 Women’s Lacrosse overpowers Dartmouth
Hayk YengibaryanThe Tigers held a dominant 9–0 lead after the first quarter and never looked back en route to a 17–11 victory. Sophomore attacker Haven Dora had a career-high eight points and tied the single-game record for assists with six.
The Tigers held a dominant 9–0 lead after the first quarter and never looked back en route to a 17–11 victory. Sophomore attacker Haven Dora had a career-high eight points and tied the single-game record for assists with six.
